5280 Monthly District Newsletter • April 2011

The Generators

Presidents Wheelchair Project

APRIL 2011

01 Speech Contest forms due

07 Presidents’ Dinner

08 Del Amo Comedy and Charity Night

09 Historic Filipinotown Cleanup

Speech Contest Finals

Art Contest Finals

12 District Breakfast

15 District Conf 35% Discount deadline

Register Hotel District Conference

RYLA begins on Catalina Island

Bellflower chartered in 1925

Del Amo Rotary Track Championship

18 Hermosa Beach chartered in 1931

22 LA Downtown chartered in 1998

23 Inglewood chartered in 1923

25 Hawthorne chartered in 1926

30 Polio Plus Dodgers Night

April is Magazine Month

Who Does What? Flyers, maps, details and e-mail addresses

are all on the district website. www.Rotary5280.org

• District Conference: John Colville

• Speech Contest: Jim Boltinghouse

• Art Contest: Diane Davis

• Music Contest: Benedikt Fischer-Brydern

• Group Study Exchange: Earle Vaughan

• RYLA: Elyse Beardsley and Joe Harding

• New Generations: Jaimee Sul and Olivia Patterson

• ShelterBox: Jim Dyer

• End Polio Now: Shirley Giltzow

Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain, received his Paul Harris Fellow award from Oscar F. Hughes,

past governor of District 658 (now District 6780). The Colonel was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Jeffersonville, Indiana,

in 1919. Though he later moved to Kentucky and belonged to several clubs there, Sanders retained fond memories of his first

Rotary affiliation. He returned to Jeffersonville for the club’s 30th anniversary and, at that celebration said, “I think that one of the

greatest blessings that any man can get in life, really, is to become a Rotarian, especially in his younger days, and become incul-

cated with the idea of living and practicing the principles and the slogans of Rotary.” The Colonel passed away in 1980 at age 90.

Photo from The Rotarian, December 1977.

Cover Photo: Presidents Melody St. John (Hollywood) and

Gaston Haughton (Lomita-Torrance Airport) present a chair

to Phillip Castañeda at the Presidents’ Wheelchair Project.

This is your District Newsletter so don’t hesi-

tate to send club announcements and other

interesting items you want to share. Marc

Leeka, Editor. marc@compphys.com

Final Call

We’ve selected candidates for the next dis-

trict newsletter editor but it is not too late to

snag a coveted assistant editor title. The

current editor has demonstrated you need

not be a gifted writer but you should possess

a demonic sense of humor. There are few

responsibilities but the pay and benefits

would make Wisconsin civil servants envious.

Contact Marc Leeka for interview and salary

information.

I t’s going to be a District Conference

like no others. You’ve heard that claim

before but it’s really true this year!

How’s this for a start: No plenary sessions!

Sure we’ll have sessions but will be your

choice whether or not you attend. We’ll do

our darndest to present sessions that will

entice you, however. If by chance there are

one or two that don’t “grab” you, then hang

out by the pool, go shopping, go golfing or

spend time enjoying friends’ company. Fel-

lowship with one another is one of the prime

ingredients of any conference.

Let’s talk about those sessions for a moment.

In a nutshell, you won’t hear from anyone

who has given away wheelchairs, provided

housing for homeless teenagers, taught oth-

ers to read or speak, done a home makeover

or preformed corrective eye surgery.

Instead, you will hear from the person who

received a wheelchair, from young women

who were homeless and from families who

left their dilapidated house and returned to a

whole new home. You’ll hear from those

whom Rotary has served, story after story

after story. These people will be there to

allow us the chance to thank them. They

trusted us into their lives and, as a result, our

lives were enhanced. We should thank them!

I know you will experience a tremendous

upswelling of Rotary pride and appreciation.

These stories are meant to be heard by you

and by your family.

That’s just part of the experience. We will be

at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, truly a

jewel of a property in the most luxurious

location. We locked down the rates to less

than half what the non-Rotarians will pay for

rooms down the hallway.

Thursday is our annual golf tournament at

the Indian Wells Golf Resort, voted one of the

top 15 in California by readers of Condé Nast

Magazine. Tee time is early afternoon and is

priced at a rather remarkable $120!

Friday evening is the annual Hospitality Night,

an event that gets more popular every year.

Hospitality Co-Chair Veronica Martinez

has planned a variety of truly unique and

inspired cuisines, music, good times and

some libations.

Saturday afternoon you’ll have the opportunity

to participate in a community project working

side by side with the Rotary clubs in nearby

La Quinta. Or simply stay poolside and relax

before the Saturday evening Governor’s Ball,

an informal event highlighted by a very spe-

cial send off to District Administrator Tori

Hettinger, a salute to the Clubs of Excel-

lence and individuals who have shined

throughout the year, and a concert by 9-time

Grammy Award winning Asleep At The

Wheel.

On Sunday morning we’ll have a poignant

remembrance for Rotary friends we’ve lost,

then transfer the Governor’s banner to Bev-

erly Hills to signify the start of District Gover-

nor Brad Robinson’s year.

You really do want to be there, both you and

your family. Register by April 15 while the

rates are low and then look forward to a fine

time in the desert. I can’t wait to see you

there.

Doug

Governor Doug’s Message

Japanese

Youth Exchange Any club interested in hosting an event or

Rotarians who want to open their homes and

hearts to a Japanese student from approxi-

mately July 23 until August 16 should con-

tact PDG Vicki Radel. Our reciprocal

Youth Exchange to Tochigi, Japan, is on

hold as our counterparts reassess their re-

sources following the devastating earth-

quake. Vicki says, “Doumo arigatou gozai-

masu.”

Announcements | News

Liberia has honored Rotary International by frequently issuing postage stamps that

highlight Rotary programs and the Avenues of Service. This set was minted in

1979 to commemorate Rotary’s 75th anniversary and the Rotary Club of Monrovia’s

17th birthday.

Speech, Art and

Music Contests Winners of the District Speech Competition

will be determined at 10am on Saturday,

April 9, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

in Downey. The first place winner will be

presented with a $1000 check at the District

Conference in Indian Wells on Saturday, May

14.

The District Art Contest will be also be held

that same morning at the school. Art Contest

Chair Diane Davis says the art judging

will begin at the conclusion of the speech

competition.

Clubs must submit registration information

and application fees no later than April 15

for the District Music Awards, Chair

Benedikt Brydern reminds us. The

auditions will be held Saturday, May 7, and

the final awards will be presented at the

District Conference.

News Anchor

Christine Devine at

District Breakfast Channel 11 weeknight co-anchor Christine

Devine will be the program speaker at the

April 12 District Breakfast.

The multiple Emmy-award winner is

known for her Wednesday's Child adop-

tion segment. Since 1994 she has profiled

foster children looking for adoptive homes,

resulting in more than 500 adoptions.

Announcements | News

Club members aren’t supposed to ask where he found it, but resourceful

Alex Rosales landed a popcorn machine for the Playa Venice

Sunrise Club.

Leaving his leather jacket at home and casually attired so he would be “cool” with

the kids, Redondo Beach President Bill Paul raised funds for ShelterBoxes at

Redondo Beach High School.

Past District Governor Susanne Sundberg (Rio Hondo-Vernon)

received a Lifetime Achievement Award from California Assembly District

50, presented by Assemblyman Ricardo Lara.

Vocational Service Director Geoff Ortiz chaired and emceed the 2011

Malibu Rotary Club Middle and High School Singing Competition on the Pepper-

dine Malibu campus. The music ranged from Verdi operas to Lerner and Lowe

Broadway show tunes. Members judged the competition based on vocals, presen-

tation and style. More than $1000 in cash prizes were awarded.

Rotarians around the District

District Conference | Jocularity

You’ve heard Governor Doug’s promise: This will be a District

Conference like no other.

The Conference Timeline is simple and sweet.

Thursday golf tournament at Indian Wells Golf Resort only $120.

Friday morning: Opening ceremony. Fellowship and inspirational

testimonials by people who have been served by Rotary.

Friday evening Hospitality Night for registered attendees.

Saturday morning hands-on community service project with

local Rotarians in nearby La Quinta.

Saturday afternoon relax at the pool.

Saturday evening informal Governor’s Ball. Clubs of Excellence

and individual recognition awards are announced. 9-time Grammy

award winning Asleep At The Wheel will rock the room.

Sunday morning Remembrance and exchange of Governor’s pin • District Conference. Indian Wells, Thursday thru Sunday, May 12-15.

• Rotary International Convention. New Orleans. May 22-25.

Register NOW = $$ Savings

District 5280 follows an Early Bird philosophy. If you are going to get

the worm, then you must move swiftly.

Register for the District Conference on-line, by fax or e-mail the

form and save 35% if you register by April 15. Everything is on

the district website.

Call and reserve a room at the 5-star Grand Hyatt Champions

Resort before April 15 and you will save more than 50%.

Rooms are only $169 nightly and INCLUDE the $23 daily resort

fee and INCLUDE the $7 daily parking. After April 15 you will pay

$335 nightly plus the resort fee plus the parking.

This one is going to be very Different

District Conference 2011

Are you keeping up with

Rotary Technology

Communications | Club Publicity

I DEA #1. The Rotary Club of East Alton (Illinois) records its weekly meetings and creates an audio PodCast available to anyone

who wants to listen, including make-ups and potential new members. The Koreatown Club has also experimented with audiocasts.

The technology is simple to master. First, record

the meeting using a small, portable dictation re-

corder or you can use a video camcorder. Sound

clarity is the most important consideration. If your

club uses a sound amplification system, plug di-

rectly into the soundboard.

Next, copy the sound to any computer. Most dic-

tation recorders and video cameras already come

with a cable that plugs into the computer.

Once you have the sound file in the computer, the

recording may be edited to remove unwanted

sections. One of the easiest to use software appli-

cations is Adobe Premiere Elements (discounted

to $69).

Finally, the sound is uploaded to an internet web-

site. The East Alton Club uses the PodBean podcast website service that costs only $4 a month. PodBean also offers a free service if

you just want to experiment with limited storage and usage features. The Adobe Premiere Elements software has a button to upload the

edited sound file to the PodBean website, which makes the entire process even easier. Podcasts can be linked to your club website or

played on a smart phone. The East Alton Club podcasts are also available as a free subscription at the Apple iTunes store.

Yes, you will have a few hiccups the first time you learn this new technology but it is quickly within the grasp of most computer users.

It is a way to reach busy people who cannot attend every meeting. What would that be worth to your club? more on next page

Communications | Club Publicity

I DEA #2. Finding a nearby club for a make-up is easy with RI's free iPhone app. At the Apple store search for the Rotary Club

Locator. The app also will soon be offered for Android phones.

I DEA #3. Have you sent a

Rotary e-card to guests and

potential new members?

Go to the Rotary.org website and

search for “Send Rotary e-Cards.”

It takes only a moment to send an

electronic card. You enter your

name and e-mail address, the re-

cipient’s e-mail and a brief mes-

sage. Voilá ! They’ve got mail.

Successful Clubs

Pay Attention to Demographics

Membership

The right Product Mix attracts the right “customers” to strengthen your club

A s of January 31, there were 1,210,745 members in 33,901 Rotary clubs. In the last decade Rotary has added more than 2,500

clubs but overall membership count has stayed flat. And the alarming statistic: more than 1.1 million new members were inducted

into Rotary clubs in the period. How can a Rotary club hold on to its members and not become a membership revolving door?

The first step is for the incoming president to complete the Planning Guide For Effective Rotary Clubs (found in the Club President’s Manual

publication 222-EN) and share the information with his/her club leadership. Any Rotarian may download the guide from Rotary.org; search for

222 to find it quickly.

A successful business pays attention to the demographics in its market, such as gender, income, education, ethnicity and age distribution.

Walt Disney began looking for a second theme park property in 1959. The search factored so many demographic variables that the decision to

acquire land in Orlando was not made until 1965. Disney World opened in 1971.

Large firms spend millions of dollars to study market demographics. Small

business owners most often use common sense to guide their marketing deci-

sions. You won’t find many services for newborn babies in a retirement com-

munity or Swahili-language bookstores in Los Angeles. You’ll find more kayak

rentals near water than in the desert, and gas stations tend to be located

closer to major routes and intersections.

All of which seems like common sense. Unless, of course, you are in the Ro-

tary Club of I’m Wearin’ My Sunglasses. That is the club where the president-

elect did not complete the Planning Guide and the club leaders thought it was

someone else’s job. Everyone in that club knows the membership has dwin-

dled in the last ten years. The meetings are just the same as they always

have been: program speakers are found about four days in advance, the

meeting rarely has an agenda, the food is the same and there are long silent

pauses when the president asks, “Does anyone else want to make an an-

nouncement.”

A well-organized Rotary Club is no different than any well-run business because each has a strategic plan to gain more market. The

club is aware of its community composition and, when appropriate, targets specific audiences that may include acquisition of more

women and younger members. The club tries to represent the ethnic composition of its community. It always promotes bringing

guests to meetings but often members only bring people just like themselves, so the club membership division organizes ways to encourage a

greater diversification of guests. The club leadership has a vision of where they want the club to be in five years and a detailed plan on how to

get there.

Want to learn more? First look at your club’s Planning Guide and identify how the club can be a better match in its community. Then call the

Senior District Governor for Membership Dean Reuter and arrange for him to meet with your club to discuss the future.

Two-thirds of Rotarians are age 50 or older. Many clubs claim they would like younger

members but cannot understand why the club does not attract young people.

Age < 302% Age 30-39

9%

Age 40-4921%

Age 50-5929%

Age 60-6924%

Age 70+15%

Youth and Rotary Our work with youth and young adults has

two salutary benefits. First, the favorable

influence on the participants by their expo-

sure to the core values of Rotary, which are

fellowship, service, integrity, diversity, and

leadership. Second, the positive memory of

Rotary that often causes the participants to

join Rotary clubs later in their lives. We need

to do a better job of recruiting the partici-

pants into Rotary membership.

Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith

Who Gets Your

Club Newsletters ? Club publications should be e-mailed to these

four district leaders:

District Governor Doug Baker

Executive Aide Joe Vasquez

District Administrator Tori Hettinger

& the Assistant Governor assigned to your club

RI President Ray gets the Last Word

Dodgers team with 5280

to Fight Polio

The Second Annual Rotary Evening at Dodger

Stadium to End Polio Now will be held on

Saturday, April 30. This year we’ll see the

Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres. All net pro-

ceeds will be credited to clubs for PolioPlus.

Purchase an opportunity drawing ticket and

you can meet the players; win the grand

prize and you will join the Dodgers on the

field as they warm up.

2011 YTD Polio Cases

Worldwide: 78

You can track polio cases worldwide and

learn how Rotary’s commitment to eradicate

polio will be successful. There were 78 cases

worldwide in the first three months of 2011.

Chad is the most recent problem country:

both the Type 1 and the Type 3 wildpolio

viruses have been identified. Outbreaks in

endemic countries are fewer this year than

last year, however there are more cases this

year in non-endemic countries than last year.

In all of 2010 there were 232 cases in the

endemic countries (Pakistan 144, India 42,

Afghanistan 25 and Nigeria 21) and 743

cases in the non-endemic countries.

www.polioeradication.org

Elvis Presley promoted vaccinations for the March of Dimes and

frequently had his picture taken with the children who appeared

in MOD posters and television appearances. Elvis visited the

Home for Convalescent Children. May 1957.